New Hanover board tables decision on downtown building

Monday

Jul 23, 2012 at 11:40 AM

The question of what to do about the county-owned building at 320 Chestnut St. remains unanswered

By Kevin MaurerKevin.Maurer@StarNewsOnline.com

The question of what to do about the New Hanover County-owned building at 320 Chestnut St. remains unanswered after the commissioners voted Monday to hold a work session.At Monday morning's board meeting, commissioners reviewed four proposals from private developers who want to buy the downtown Wilmington building, renovate it and lease it back to the county or buy it and use it for affordable housing. After a short presentation, they decided to table the decision on how to proceed."We are thinking about spending a whole lot of money," Chairman Ted Davis said. "I want to make sure we are doing it intelligently. We are making the best decision for all the taxpayers in the county."The county board's decision to hold a work session in September keeps the fate of the old government building in limbo. The board has already voted to move forward with spending up to $10 million to renovate the building and use it for county offices, such as the Public Defender and Drug Treatment Court. At issue is how to spend the money. The six-story, 1950s-era building has been vacant and untouched for more than two years. County workers were displaced when a water leak significantly damaged the building almost two years ago.Commissioner Rick Catlin had questions about the building's potential historic designation. He made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Jason Thompson, to hold a work session in September to discuss the historic designation tax credits and put out a request for proposals. Catlin, who has long been vocal about wanting the private sector to pitch ideas for using the building, said there were many unanswered questions about $2 million worth of tax credits."I don't think we've explored them adequately," Catlin said. "I don't know that we have all of the answers to that. Two million dollars is a lot of money."The building is eligible for the national register, but has not been added to it. The process could take as long as a year to earn the designation, but work on the building could begin before the process concludes, officials said.Both Catlin and Thompson argued more proposals would surface if the county formally requested input from others after the work session.Thompson said there are two private companies that have contacted him about doing the work. The companies were not one of the current proposals."This is a lot of money and a big decision," Thompson said. "There is no reason to rush it."In other business, the board of commissioners recognized the Montford Point Marines. Commissioner Jonathan Barfield read the resolution and the men, the first African Americans to serve in the Marine Corps during World War II, received two standing ovations. About 20,000 Marines trained from 1942 to 1949 at Camp Montforid Point near Jacksonville.Reps. Danny McComas and Carolyn Justice, who represented New Hanover County, were also recognized for their service in the state House of Representatives. Both decided to not run for reelection this year.Both McComas and Justice also received standing ovations. Justice, in brief remarks, urged both Davis and Catlin to remember their roots as county commissioners."What the state house needs is more county commissioners," Justice said.Davis is running for McComas' open seat and Catlin is running for a newly formed seat.